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This is a scorpion. It is one kind of animal that lives in this hot, dry habitat.
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What Is a Desert?
A desert is a place that has very little rainfall. Most deserts get less than 10 inches of rain per year. This is the Sahara desert. It is in Africa.
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Special Plants
Plants and flowers find ways to grow in this dry habitat. Cactus plants store up water inside.
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Home in the Sand
Many kinds of animals live in the desert. They have special body parts to help them survive
survive
DORLING KINDERSLEY/GETTY IMAGES
to stay alive
( )
This plant can survive with very little sunlight.
in this habitat. Camels can store fat in their hump. They don’t need to eat for long periods of time.
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A short-horned lizard has thick scales. This helps its body hold on to water.
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Creature of the Night
This is a fennec fox. It sleeps during the day and comes out at night, when the desert is cooler.
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Desert Home
People also live in deserts. In African and Asian deserts, many people live in tents. They can move easily
easily
GETTY IMAGES
without difficulty
( )
Jon’s soccer team won the game easily.
from place to place.
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Science Scoop
Deserts can be cold too! Antarctica is a desert. It does not rain or snow much there. The land is covered in ice. Antarctica is home to whales, seals, and penguins.